Principal Engineer, DP Packaging Equipment

Role Summary

Lead the Label and Secondary Packaging Engineering efforts for capital projects across Moderna's global operations, supporting both clinical and commercial supply chains. Provide technical guidance to existing manufacturing facilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of labeling and packaging equipment specifications.
• Manage Front End Planning (FEP) activities, defining scope, design, manufacturability, cost, capital, risk, and schedules for capital projects.
• Drive vendor selection and assessment processes for packaging equipment.
• Provide input into user requirements, design specifications, process parameters, and FMEA assessments.
• Establish and maintain best practices and functional standards for packaging to promote global standardization of equipment, processes, and systems.
• Translate business needs into engineering solutions, incorporating commercial and clinical secondary packaging requirements.
• Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for secondary packaging, aligning procedures and standards within internal and cross-divisional teams.
• Execute and direct the design of processes and equipment, leveraging innovative engineering techniques and benchmarking.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies for secondary packaging equipment and printed materials, conducting testing as part of the technical roadmap.
• Provide technical support to Moderna‚Äôs external supply manufacturing network, troubleshooting issues, recommending design improvements, and contributing to continuous improvement efforts.
• Lead and manage capital projects, ensuring adherence to project timelines and preventing delays.
• Participate in all phases of engineering projects, from conceptual design to commissioning, validation, and qualification.
• Troubleshoot equipment failures, contribute to preventative maintenance plans, assess change controls, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Review and guide the work of vendors and consultants while managing multiple complex assignments simultaneously.
• Develop and update Engineering Turnover Packages, including specifications, component lists, operating manuals, and drawings for GMP process equipment.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor‚Äôs or Master‚Äôs degree preferably in Packaging, Mechanical or Automation Engineering; other engineering degrees considered.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience as a Packaging Engineer.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a GMP environment.
• Technical and regulatory background in labeling and secondary packaging requirements in pharmaceutical/biotech industry.
• Experience in large capital/expansion programs with direct design responsibility.
• Experience with Thermoforming, Heat Sealing, Plunger Insertion Side Load and Top Load Cartoning, Flexible Packaging Line Design, Vision Inspection Systems, Serialization and on-line barcode printing and verification and coding.
• Working knowledge of Automatic Inspection and Clinical Packaging Operations preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to present work to peers and cross-functional managers and influence decisions. Technical writing skills.
• Structured problem-solving approach to identify root causes and develop corrective/preventative actions.
• Familiarity with Excel, Word, PowerPoint; basic statistical analysis techniques preferred.
• Ability to take ownership and drive results on multiple complex assignments with minimal direction.
• Ability to represent Moderna‚Äôs interests professionally; collaborative mindset.
• Desire to impact a high-growth, transformational company.

Education

• Relevant degree(s) as listed in Basic Qualifications; advanced degrees optional.